The IRL Board recommended the KRLF be admitted to the body with observer status, and this has now been approved by the membership.

It becomes the 60^th nation to join the IRL, and the 14^th under the Middle East and Africa region.

Twenty-four other National Federations hold observer status, which recognises them as the sole governing body for rugby league in their country.

They must meet IRL criteria to achieve affiliate membership, with full membership the top tier available, which 18 National Federations have achieved by meeting all requirements.

The regional manager for the Middle East and Africa Remond Safi said the move was testament to the work conducted to develop rugby league in Kenya.

"I am pleased that, after much significant groundwork, we finally have an organisation in Kenya that has been approved by IRL for membership," Safi said.

"It has been a lengthy and complicated process to ensure that there is a robust governance process in place for further growth in the country, and their presence also strengthens the sport in East Africa."

IRL secretary general Danny Kazandjian argued that it reflected a wider growth of the sport in the region.

"The approval of Kenya Rugby League as a member of IRL demonstrates clearly the continued growth and appetite for the sport, particularly in the Middle East Africa region," he commented.

"I would like to congratulate KRLF and welcome them to the IRL community.

"I know how hard the chair of KRLF, and his team have worked on this application, and I look forward to seeing them develop and prosper."

Nyakwaka Adhere, chairman of the KRLF, added that this was an important step in the development of rugby league in Kenya.

"Our coaches, match officials and managers now have access to international accredited courses and this helps to build the pillars of rugby development in Kenya," he was quoted by Pulse Live Kenya.

"We started pursing this affiliation process 9 years ago as team, together with the late Benjamin Ayimba.

"It coming to fruition in his absence I can only dedicate it to him by ensuring his legacy lives on."

The IRL holds observer status in the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

World Rugby, which governs rugby football's other code in rugby union, is a full member of the GAISF.

Its sevens discipline has featured on the Olympic Games programme since Rio 2016, while the IRL is aiming for its nines format to feature in some capacity at Brisbane 2032.